‘Failure is the first and foremost step to success’ you might have heard this quite often especially more in the teenage years cause I have too! But what if one has fear for it? Well then here is an incident from my life.
I remember struggling to get up from my afternoon nap and wearing that white uniform with yellow belt and walking to Karate class. Every time I got ready for it, a question popped ‘when will the class end?’ and that’s because I hated going there. I literally used to cry to avoid going for the class and instead play in the society. C’mmon! we all have that moment where at a point we want to leave the class and just enjoy and play.
Me practicing after class.
This went on for years and my
interest developed in it and slowly and gradually I exalted from yellow belt to
brown and then eventually black. Well, the credit actually goes to my mother
who didn’t allow me to leave the class come what may for which I am now
thankful for.
It was in July 2017 that our instructor told us about this National competition of karate that was going to be held in Mumbai. We were so excited for it. Also the preparations had begun in full swing. I still remember teaching few of my juniors, some practicing fight techniques, some punches and kicks and it was all so fun as well as electrified with energy. After two months of this rigorous practice we were all set for the competition and ready to go.(Here) us doing the techniques.
The competition was in September. We
left for it in the morning at 5am and reached there by 9am. The competition had
begun I could see few children go and come back with medals, certificates with
extreme joy on their faces. Soon it was my turn. I was standing in the line, as
I could hear my heart running so fast in my ears that I was literally
shivering. All I could think was what if I lose? What if I forget the
technique? My turn came; I took a deep breath and looked at my instructor who
was right there standing to watch me perform. Within a second my heart was in
my mouth. “BEGIN!” the judges said. I started with my techniques and just after
doing two-three of them I was blank I was doing anything that I could think of
next. And that very moment I realized I lost! I was shocked, in grief and couldn’t
think of anything else but that, that I had let myself down in front of my instructor.
What would my juniors now say- that I just forgot? After practicing for two
months, how did I mess up so badly? After that I couldn’t sleep for nights.
I had always been that
person for whom reputation mattered the most. Here’s what I realized after
months: I cared more about what others would say and think, rather than to
focus more on how can I give my best.
Failures are a
part of our life and no matter how hard you try they will be there. What one
should know is to accept and learn from them. And also a secret, that every
time you experience failure the fire in you lightens up and encourages you to
work harder.
That’s what exactly happened! I practiced more next time and was not only physically but also mentally ready for the upcoming International competition. All I could think was to give my 100% and that’s where my positivity won me a silver medal!
All I would like to conclude by saying is failure is an opportunity to grow into bigger and better person and excel in every aspect of life.
National Award International Award
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